Two Spartanburg natives honored with sign on music trail

During a music career that has spanned more than six decades, Buck Trent has received countless awards and accolades from around the world.

By DAN ARMONAITISdan.armonaitis@shj.com

During a music career that has spanned more than six decades, Buck Trent has received countless awards and accolades from around the world.But even he didn't seem prepared for the emotional impact that being honored by his hometown could provide.Trent, an internationally recognized banjo player who was raised in Arcadia, fought back tears as he spoke to a crowd near the intersection of East St. John Street and Liberty Street, where a sign was unveiled Monday, recognizing him and David Ball as the newest members of the Spartanburg Music Trail.“To be honored like this by your hometown and have all the kinfolks and friends here, it's the tops,” Trent said after the ceremony. “This is really something.”In addition to being an electric banjo pioneer, Trent is known for his close association with such country music legends as Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton and Roy Clark. He's also a two-time Country Music Association Instrumentalist of the Year and was a regular on the hit television series “Hee Haw” in the 1970s and '80s.Ball, a country music superstar whose hits include 1994's “Thinkin' Problem” and 2001's “Riding with Private Malone,” was unable to attend Monday's Music Trail induction ceremony. He'll perform a celebratory concert Sept. 13 at The Showroom at Hub-Bub.Stephen Long, director of The Showroom, read from a statement that Ball sent from his home outside Nashville, Tenn.Among other things, including mentions of his late mother and his late Uncle Walt's Band collaborators Champ Hood and Walter Hyatt, Ball said, “Spartanburg was where I fell in love with music. A unique combination of listening and playing, and I carry that with me today.”Hub City Writers Project executive director Betsy Teter, who spearheaded the creation of the Spartanburg Music Trail, served as emcee for the event.City councilwoman Cate Ryba read proclamations from Mayor Junie White, in which Monday was declared David Ball and Buck Trent Day in Spartanburg.

And, just before the sign was officially unveiled, Trent was asked by Teter to do a little picking on his banjo.“You wouldn't ask a postman to deliver mail on his day off, would you?” Trent joked, before pulling his banjo from its case and thrilling the audience with an intimate display of his instrumental prowess.Although a few of Ball's family members were in attendance Monday, most of the crowd was understandably there to show its support for Trent.As Trent, decked out in a sequined Manuel-designed jacket, posed for photos and signed autographs following the unveiling of the two-sided sign that bears Trent's likeness on one side and Ball's on the other, Spartanburg resident Reid Caldwell was taking it all in.Caldwell said he was “delighted” to be on hand, having known Trent as far back as the early 1950s.“I was on the football team at Fairforest High School, and Buck, who was a couple of years younger, was our equipment manager,” Caldwell reminisced. “He used to ride with us on the bus, and he'd always play the banjo.“We weren't at all surprised (that Trent became famous), because he was just so good. Everybody gathered around him with their guitars, and they would follow his leads.”Trent's sister, Peggy Genelle Marlin, who lives in Glendale, said that it “means the world” to see her younger brother recognized in his hometown.“Growing up, he was crazy about music,” Marlin said. “When he was about six years old, mama had given him a straight saw to cut down a bush out (in the yard).“Well, she waited and waited, and he didn't come back in the house. So, she went out there and said, 'have you not cut that bush down yet?' He said, 'Mama, come here and listen to this.' And he was playing music on that saw.”

Trent, who still performs a long-running morning show in Branson, Mo., typically returns to Spartanburg twice a year to visit Marlin and to play golf with his nephews, Danny Hyatt and Ronnie Hyatt, both of whom attended Monday's Music Trail ceremony.“His family is real proud of him,” said Danny Hyatt, who added that Trent would be hitting the golf course with him and Ronnie immediately following the event.Another Music Trail sign, honoring recent inductees The Sparkletones and Marshall Chapman, was installed two months ago.Sparkletones band members Howard Childress and Jimmy Denton were on hand Monday for Trent's induction. Neither of them had previously met Trent.“Buck's not just a banjo player, but he's a performer,” Childress said. “He lights up the stage wherever he goes, and people really like him.“He deserves this honor as much as anybody. In fact, even today, you can't turn on RFD-TV without seeing Buck Trent somewhere on there.”Denton added, “I've admired him for years. I've seen him many, many times on 'Hee Haw' and other programs like 'Country Family Reunion' that they have on RFD-TV. So, it was just a pleasure to be here and meet him. He's a real nice guy.”After nearly an hour of posing for photos, signing autographs and engaging in conversation with family, friends and fans, Trent prepared to get into a vehicle with his wife, Jean, who handles the business side of his career.“This was really something,” Trent said. “We'll have to come back and do a show sometime.”

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